Containment of Fusarium culmorum and Its Mycotoxins in Various Biological Systems by Antagonistic Trichoderma and Clonostachys Strains

Prevention of fungal diseases caused by species, including , and thus the accumulation of mycotoxins in wheat ears, is a constant challenge focused on the development of new, effective crop management solutions. One of the currently most ecologically attractive approaches is biological control using natural antagonistic microorganisms. With this in mind, the antagonistic potential of thirty-three and strains was assessed in this work. Screening tests were carried out in in vitro cultures, and the observed potential of selected and strains was verified in field and semi-field experiments with two forms of wheat: winter cv. Legenda and spring cv. Bombona. Three strains, namely AN291, AN240 and AN430 were reported to be most effective in inhibiting the growth of KF846 and the synthesis of DON, 3AcDON and ZEN under both laboratory and semi-controlled field conditions. Observations of the contact zones of the tested fungi in dual cultures exposed their mycoparasitic abilities against KF846. In addition, studies on liquid cultures have demonstrated the ability of these strains to eliminate toxins. Meanwhile, the strains of AN35 and AN392 used as soil inoculants in the field experiment showed a different effect on the content of toxins in ears (grains and chaffs), while improved wheat yield parameters, mainly grain health in both wheat cultivars. It is concluded that the selected and strains have a high potential to reduce the adverse effects of ear infection; therefore, they can be further considered in the context of potential biocontrol factors and as wheat crop improvers.